Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcie Yadon.
Marcie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story takes a lot of twists and turns. I’ve learned everything through trial, error, and real-time experience. I grew up in a generation where our grandparents couldn’t make money farming but kept the farm anyway. My parents moved off to do other things since farming was no longer profitable.
When I decided to start farming, most people thought I’d lost my mind. “No one can make money doing that around here,” they said. But as things began to grow, they changed their tune: “Well, maybe you could sell ice to an Eskimo.”
The truth is, when someone tells me something can’t be done, I usually try to do it anyway. That mindset led us to jump into commercial dairy farming. It went well—for about ten years—until the 2008 dairy crash hit. Out of the 150 dairies in East Tennessee, 100 went under… including us. We technically did not go under but we changed and were no longer considered in the numbers for TN dairy farmers
During that transition year, I was homeschooling my kids and, thankfully, surrounded by a group of amazing mothers who led me down a path I never envisioned. They wanted raw milk. I was broke and going under—but I still had cows. So, I let them teach me what they were looking for. Slowly, I transitioned our dairy into an all-grass, raw milk operation. With their patience and support, we grew into the largest raw dairy in East Tennessee for the next 10 years.
That time was full of learning—about regenerative farming, rotational grazing, and how to raise chickens, pigs, cows, goats, ducks, and more in harmony with the land. It was beautiful.
Then life happened. The hard kind. I had to step away from farming—not because the farm failed, not because the money wasn’t there—but because I was at the end of a 20 year abusive marriage, and the cost was too high. I spent the next few years recovering, fighting a long, emotional battle for my kids, that has ended well.
During that recovery season, farmers started asking me to create something that would take the stress of connecting with clients off their shoulders so they could focus more on their farms. In 2020, Knox Farms2Families was born.
Instead of competing with each other to feed all of Knoxville, we decided to collaborate. We built a central buying club—a place where local families could pick up clean, local food from multiple farms, all in one location. Today, it’s a partnership of 30 farmers serving around 300 members and its always growing and transforming.
It’s incredibly rewarding to work alongside other farmers, simplifying their lives while watching customers light up when they realize they can access good, clean food from right here at home.
I walk through life knowing I never really know where it will lead—and that the people around me will often teach me what needs to happen next.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road is never all smooth—you just have to ride it as it comes. I’ve stood in criminal, civil, and even federal court, all over raw milk. What I learned through those battles is that even when you play by the rules, you may still have to fight for the freedoms you believe in.
They tried hard to take us down by draining our resources, but our clients were incredible. They stood with us through the valley, carrying us all the way to the other side.
The last four years have been different. We haven’t faced those kinds of valleys—just the growing pains that come with fast expansion. And that’s the kind of challenge I’ll take any day.
On a personal note, I hit an unexpected snag in my farming career when I became deathly allergic to bees. After being resuscitated several times, we had to make a tough decision to shift gears. Instead of running the farm the way we always had, we transitioned into teaching others how to farm and providing them with animals to learn on. This way, we continue serving the community—without putting my life on the line in the process.
But like I said before, you never really know where life will lead. You just keep showing up and keep trucking on.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a collaborator at heart. I bring people together to meet the needs of everyone involved. What sets us apart is that we don’t compete—we work together.
That same mindset carries through everything I do. When I started over after leaving the farm and my first marriage, I also launched my real estate career. Just like with Knox Farms2Families, our real estate business is built on the same core values: honesty, transparency, and collaboration.
The thing I’m most proud of is my ability to adapt and make things work, no matter the circumstances. Whether it’s shifting direction on the farm, navigating legal battles, or starting fresh in a new industry, I’ve learned that flexibility and a willingness to learn are key. We take the time to truly understand the needs of our clients and then work together to find the best path forward.
Whether it’s building community through local food or helping someone find the right home, it’s always about connection, service, and showing up with an open heart—even when the road takes an unexpected turn.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned in my journey is this: you have to have great support. The company you keep will make or break you. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, challenge you, and walk with you through both the hard and the good.
And always remember—your company will change as you change. Friends are amazing gifts, but if you’re growing, they’ll come and go. Some will walk with you for a season, and some will grow alongside you for the long haul. Both are valuable. Growth often means outgrowing certain relationships, and that’s okay. If you’re committed to growing, you’ll always be seeking new company that aligns with where you’re headed.
Through all the twists and turns, I’ve been incredibly blessed to now be married to the love of my life—someone who supports the vision, shares the values, and walks beside me with unwavering strength. Having the right partner makes the road ahead not just possible, but joyful.
Never stop learning. Every moment is a teachable moment if you’re willing to see it that way. Growth doesn’t always come easy, but it always comes with value.
And above all—never stop moving forward. Life will throw curveballs. You’ll hit valleys, roadblocks, and setbacks. But forward is the way. Sometimes that means taking a step back to rest. A break isn’t quitting—it’s just time to regroup, recharge, and then get back to trucking on.
Contact Info:
- Website: marcie@marcieyadon.com
- Instagram: info@knoxfarms2families.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/knoxfarms2families
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarcieYadon
- Yelp: 865-680-7935
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/marcieyadon/
